Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma infection)

Washing vegetables thoroughly before eating them and cooking meat to recommended temperatures are just a few ways to reduce risk of toxoplasmosis. (Photo courtesy of USDA)

Toxoplasmosis is considered to be the third leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States. More than 60 million men, women, and children in the U.S. carry the Toxoplasma parasite, but very few have symptoms because the immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness.

However, women newly infected with Toxoplasma during pregnancy and anyone with a compromised immune system should be aware that toxoplasmosis can have severe consequences for them.